The Hub

I'm wondering if people have advise on ways to be productive when having to work in multiple locations. Particularly curious about tool organization and portability strategies. I share one shop about 45 minutes from home, but also do some work from home. Mostly repair and setup stuff at home and building/more involved repairs at the shop. Some tools and supplies are simple enough to have multiples of, but for others it gets really expens…

This is a rehash of the amazing Loothprint that Mike (@member@member@member) shared to the group (Surface Inspection Light – The Looth Group). I don't have a 3D printer so had to take a low(er) tech approach. The pics should be self explanatory. I have linked to a DXF and CRV (Vectric VCarve) file in case it helps. I do most simple tooling in Aspire as I can move more quickly there than in Fusion. Components needed: .75" Baltic birch ply Flash…

I installed my new Proper’s Guitar Workstation, and other work holding equipment from Total Vise, in my shop this week. I customized my pedestal with a work tray & tool holder, using their “Pedestal Work Board Support." This will keep me from having to always go back & forth to my bench to set things down and get the tools I need, etc. I'm looking forward to how all of this new gear will help make my work easier, quicker, and cleaner, a…

Happy New year everyone!!! I have an LMII neck angle jig but only have the dove tail templates. Would like to try a bolt on for my next acoustic build. With LMII's unfortunate departure do you know where I can get the templates for the mortise and tenon? Is anyone making these? perhaps our friends fortunate enough to have a CNC? I tried making one for a ukelele build but with the tools I have, not confident in the accuracy. Any leads are…

I'm the proud new owner of a "new to me" Fireball Meteor CNC machine. It feels really odd to have a computer in the shop but I guess I need to get used to that. Fortunately for me, I am well versed in CAD, unfortunately not so much on the CAM side of things. My 3 kids are all experts and are steepening the learning curve dramatically, this would be overwhelming if they weren't helping. So far I'm using the Fusion 360 personal use versio…

Got my new printer a few weeks ago, and I have been loving life in 3D. I have made a bunch of cauls and tools in preparation for my next builds. On all the prints the first layers were a little fuzzy, so I did some research and adjusted the z offset. Got my first layers in the pocket. But that caused some horrible problems. Now I can’t even finish a print. First layer is fine. Second layer is hairy and fuzzy. Seems like the nozzle is dr…

Was using one of my favorite tools today and wondering what happens when LMI is gone? Is there a possibility someone takes over production of these great tools and jigs? When I heard about LMI closing, I immediately went and ordered a backup fret tang filer…a tool I use every week.

Have you ever had a really stubborn bridge plate to remove? I had one not too long ago that seemed to resist wetting with a damp cloth, and subsequently all the heat I could get from my silicone heating pads. After much effort I got about 80% of it out cleanly. The remaining 20% required hours of work with a finger plane. That experience made me think about the Brown's Guitar Factory bridge plate removal tool I had purchased years ago,…